Meeting the Moment: Mobilizing Support for Families During Crisis

Thousands of families across the Greater Washington region are facing an urgent hunger crisis following the recent federal government shutdown and disruptions to SNAP benefits.

More than 230,000 families across the region rely on SNAP benefits that were delayed or reduced during the shutdown. The disruption came as food insecurity remains at extremely high levels across our region – impacting 36% of households—an estimated 1.5 million people, according to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2025 Hunger Report.

Even now that the shutdown has ended, these families will continue to feel its ripple effects, as they struggle to pay for groceries, medicine, housing, and other essentials needed to regain stability.

In response to this urgent need for many in our region, The Greater Washington Community Foundation and our donors and philanthropic partners quickly mobilized to meet the moment.

Since the government shutdown began on October 1, our donors have directed more than $634,000 in grant funding to nonprofits fighting food insecurity across the region including Capital Area Food Bank, Manna Food Center, Martha’s Table, DC Central Kitchen, and more.

"We're incredibly grateful to our fundholders for their swift response to this crisis," shared President & CEO Tonia Wellons. "Time and time again – from 9/11 to COVID and the tragic DCA plane crash earlier this year – this community shows up when Greater Washington families need support most."

Recognizing both the need in the community and the desire of fundholders to respond, The Community Foundation committed $125,000 toward a Challenge Match – driven by a generous donation from the England Family Foundation – to provide direct cash assistance to families directly impacted by the government shutdown to help ease immediate financial pressure during this critical time. 

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Source: The Greater Washington Community Foundation